Some youngsters raised their hands and asked Bower questions. Others got an opportunity to climb in the car and see what it feels like to be in the driver's seat.

Bower and her car were in attendance at the school to kick off the Final Laps Math Fact Challenge, a program developed by Williams Grove Speedway and the school to encourage math education.

"I think it's awesome," Bower said. "I loved math in school, and I didn't have a program like this. It's a win-win-win for us, Williams Grove and the kids."

Boys and girls are encouraged to spend 10 minutes after school at home doing extra work in math. For every 10 minutes, they are credited with completing a lap.

At the completion of 10 laps, a kid will receive a $10 gift certificate to attend School Night Out on June 6 at Williams Grove Speedway. They will also be entered in a drawing to receive a $100 gift certificate to the speedway.

The program ends May 15 at the school's Spring Fair. Super Sportsman driver Steve Wilbur will be at the school to hand out prizes.

"It's a win-win for both," said Tanya Pechart, Vice President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Monroe Elementary. "It's really good for our students in that it keeps them learning math.

"The kids love computers, and the extra practice leads to better test scores in school. The kids hopefully go home excited to do extra. The students and even the parents get rewarded with certificates."

There are many programs such as this around the midstate that encourage some form of learning. Most of them focus on reading.

But Williams Grove general manager Justin Loh, speedway public relations representative Kevin Maloy and Pechart wanted to do something different. And math was the answer.

"They approached me and wanted to do something," Pechart said. "I was a teacher and using what I know, this is what we came up with.

"I'm excited that we are doing math. I don't know of any other programs where math is the focus."

Said Loh, "Williams Grove is excited about the new Math Fact Challenge. The concept was to get more children involved in racing and excited to do math.

"This is a pilot program with the kids from Monroe Elementary and South Mountain Elementary. This program will allow children to treat their family to a free night of racing by doing some math work at home."

Bower jumped at the chance to kick off the program. It gave her a chance to not only help in the education of kids, but explain a little bit about the sport.

She relayed the ins and outs of the car, how fast it goes and a little bit about herself. Kids bombarded her with questions ranging from inquiries about the tires, wing and cost to put a race-ready car on the track.

"A lot of kids don't know the difference between a Sprint Car and a go-kart," Bower said. "So this was a cool way to get up-close and personal.

"When they come out to the track, this puts a face to the car and gives them someone to cheer for that night. Who knows? Ten years down the road, it may encourage a girl or boy to come into the sport."